United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump has said Iran has agreed not to develop nuclear weapons, expressing optimism about ongoing negotiations and the prospects of a long-term deal. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the agreement under discussion would extend “beyond 20 years” and described the outlook for a deal as “looking very good.” He added that the next round of talks with the Iranian delegation could take place over the weekend, reports Al Jazeera. Trump also said the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon includes Hezbollah, indicating broader involvement in the truce arrangement. The US president further said he plans to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, though he did not specify a timeline for the meetings.

At least eight civilians were killed and dozens injured in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, as US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon set to begin later on Thursday. Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli forces struck the town of Ghaziyeh in the Zahrani area, leaving at least 33 people wounded, while several others remain missing under the rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing, reports Al Jazeera. In a separate incident, the Lebanese Health Ministry said an Israeli strike targeted an ambulance in Tebnine in the Bint Jbeil district, seriously injuring two paramedics. The ministry condemned the attack, saying strikes on medical personnel violate international humanitarian law. According to official figures, the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon has risen to 2,196, with 7,185 people injured, highlighting the growing humanitarian toll of the conflict. Amid the escalating violence, Trump said Lebanon and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire following talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the ceasefire would begin at 5pm EST (2100 GMT) and last for 10 days, expressing hope it would lead to a lasting peace. However, Israeli media reported anger within the country over the announcement, with some officials caught off guard as the truce was declared before formal cabinet approval. The announcement comes as Israeli operations in Lebanon continue, raising questions over the implementation of the ceasefire and whether hostilities will halt as scheduled.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, set to begin at 5pm EST, following what he described as “excellent conversations” with the two countries’ leaders. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that both sides had agreed to the temporary truce “in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries.” He said the agreement follows the first direct meeting between officials of the two countries in 34 years, held in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reports Al Jazeera. No date fixed yet for 2nd round of U.S.-Iran talks: Pakistan Trump said he had directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Rubio and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a “lasting PEACE.” “It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE!” he added.

US military forces struck a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, killing three men the Pentagon said were involved in drug trafficking. The United States Southern Command confirmed that no US personnel were harmed in the operation. The command described the attack as a “lethal kinetic strike” on a vessel allegedly operated by a designated “terrorist organization” and travelling along known narcotics trafficking routes. However, officials did not identify the organisation or the individuals killed, nor did they provide evidence supporting claims of drug trafficking. The strike is part of an ongoing campaign by the administration of Donald Trump targeting suspected cartel-linked vessels in international waters. Several similar operations have been reported in recent days, with at least 178 people killed since the campaign began in early September, according to official figures. The military has provided limited details about the operations, which have drawn scrutiny from observers over transparency and verification of targets.

The United States is prepared to resume military operations if Iran refuses to agree to a deal, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters in Washington, DC, Hegseth warned that US forces remain on standby to restart combat if diplomatic efforts fail, reports Al Jazeera. He also claimed that the US Navy is currently controlling maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Iran “does not have a navy any more”. Hegseth further said the United States would continue its naval blockade of Iran for “as long as it takes”, signalling no immediate plans to ease pressure on Tehran. Delivering a direct warning, he added that Washington is closely monitoring Iran’s military movements. “We are watching you,” Hegseth said, referring to Iranian activities and assets.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as one in Iran, stressing that Tehran is working to secure a permanent truce across all conflict zones. In a post on Telegram following talks related to ending the war between Iran and the United States, Ghalibaf said Iran has been striving to compel its adversaries to establish a lasting ceasefire in line with existing agreements, reports Al Jazeera. “For us, a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as a ceasefire in Iran,” he told Nabih Berri during a phone conversation. Ghalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation at last week’s US-Iran talks in Pakistan that ended without a deal, reiterated Tehran’s position that any ceasefire agreement must also apply to Lebanon — a stance rejected by the US and Israel. He added that Iran considers the Lebanese people as “among us” and has not forgotten them. During the call, Berri briefed Ghalibaf on the latest Israeli attacks, saying around 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon. “Israel is committing crimes in our country and seeking to displace Lebanese people,” Berri was quoted as saying, adding that any communication with Israel would not serve Lebanon’s interests. The conflict expanded on March 2 after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, saying it was retaliating for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and repeated Israeli violations of a November 2024 ceasefire. Since then, more than 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said leaders of Israel and Lebanon were expected to hold direct talks for the first time in 34 years, although Beirut has yet to officially confirm the development.

Pakistan has said the United States and Iran are willing to resume negotiations soon, although no date has yet been finalised. In a statement, the foreign ministry also reaffirmed that Lebanon remains covered under the ongoing two-week ceasefire in the region. “Peace in Lebanon is essential for peace talks,” it said.  #From Middle East Eye

Israeli forces continued attacks in southern Lebanon on Thursday, with reports of ongoing artillery shelling and air strikes, according to local sources. Earlier, the Israeli military reportedly warned residents south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon to move north amid escalating tensions in the area. At the same time, Israel’s Home Front Command said air raid sirens were activated in northern regions after rocket fire was detected coming from Lebanon.  #From Middle East Eye

Anthony Albanese said his government has secured an additional 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea to strengthen fuel security amid global supply concerns. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Malaysia, the Australian prime minister said the fuel will arrive in two separate shipments. He noted that one consignment will come from Brunei, where he had visited earlier, while the other will be supplied by South Korea. Albanese said the move is aimed at boosting Australia’s fuel reserves during ongoing global shortages and supply uncertainties. #From Al Jazeera

A second US-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data cited by Reuters. Maritime intelligence data from LSEG and Kpler showed that the empty very large crude carrier (VLCC) RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday. The vessel, capable of carrying up to two million barrels of oil, is currently heading to an undisclosed destination. Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that an Iranian supertanker sanctioned by the United States had crossed the strait and reached the direction of Imam Khomeini port, despite what it described as a blockade. The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region following the reported US naval operation in the area. The US Central Command previously said that 10 vessels had been turned back and none had breached the blockade since the operation began on Monday.  #By Al Jazeera